A Print Server is a server that connects printers to the network. This is the single source of printing for all the workstations in a network. It helps to share a specific printer or multiple printers with users on the network. In this guide, I will be showing you How to set up a Print Server on Windows Servers and you can further read more educative guides on printers: How can you Add a Printer Using an IP Address in Windows 11, and “Hide Windows Updates: How to Hide or Fix HP Printer Windows Updates Error 0x800f020b“.
A Print Server is used within a business network to streamline printing resources and cut costs. Just imagine the cost that will be expended if a separate printer is deployed for each workstation in a network.
It helps provide a way to manage and control printing operations in a network and it’s what every organisation should explore when learning how to set it up on Windows Servers. Below is a YouTube video showing the steps on how to setup a Print Server on Windows Servers.
Also, see How to rename a Printer in Windows 10, how to update Printer Drivers on your Windows device, and “Printer Driver Information: How to determine the version and type of a Printer Driver“.
Steps on How to Set up a Print Server on Windows Servers
1. Open Server Manager and select Add Roles and Features from the drop menu.
2. Click Next and in the Select installation type, select the Role-based or feature-based installation option. Click on Next.
3. Select the server that will host the print server as the destination server when setting up a print server on Windows Servers, and click on Next.
4. In the Select server roles page scroll to Print and Document Services and check the box next to it. Click Add Features and Next.
5. On the Features and Print and Document Services page click next.
6. In the Select role services page, confirm the Print Server option is checked and proceed by clicking on Next.
7. On the Confirmation screen click Install.
8. View installation progress and wait for it to complete. After installation is successful click Close.
Print Management
9. After installing the print server on your Windows server, open the Server Manager, there you will see the Print Services menu added.
10. Click on the Tools menu in the window’s top right corner. Scroll down and select the Print Management option. This is crucial for setting up a print server on Windows Servers.
Here is How to remove (uninstall) a printer on a macOS, and how to remove a Printer from Windows 10 via PowerShell, Windows registry and Print Management.
Adding Printers to the Print Server
11. On the Print Management console, navigate to the Print Servers and expand it. You will see some of the default printers available.
12. If you want to add a workstation printer right-click on your server and click on the Add Printer option.
13. When installing a new printer you can Search the network for the Printer or Add a TCP/IP or Web Services Printer by IP address or hostname or the other two port options. Click Next.
Search the network for printers
14. When you pick the Search the network for printers option, the print server will search the entire network for connected printers, and you can now make your selection. This is part of setting up a Print Server on Windows Servers.
15. When you pick Add a TCP/IP or Web Services Printer by IP address or hostname, you will be able to select the Type of Device “Autodetect”, “TCP/IP Device”, supply the TCP/IP of the specific printer you want to install and the print server will locate it if it exists on the network during the search.
16. Pick a driver for the new printer and install it.
17. Select and install a driver from the list or from a disk.
18. On the Printer Name and Sharing Settings, check the Share this printer box and enter both the printer name and share name for the printer.
19. Confirm the installation details and click Next to begin the installation.
20. Once the printer and driver are installed, click on Finish. You may want to Print test page or Add another printer by checking the two boxes below.
I hope you found this blog post about How to set up a Print Server on Windows Servers helpful. Please let me know in the comment section if you have any questions.
